Bridge Over I-295 Named In Honor Fallen Soldier

The Trenton Road bridge over I-295 in Middletown Township was officially named the “Staff Sgt. Jae S. Moon Memorial Bridge” in honor of the late U.S. Army soldier and area resident who was killed in action in Iraq in 2006.

The dedication of the state-owned bridge follows the passage of bipartisan legislation spearheaded by State Rep. Joe Hogan. The effort received support in both the Pennsylvania House and Senate and was signed into law by Gov. Josh Shapiro.

Family members, veterans, and local dignitaries gathered at the bridge to reflect on Moon’s sacrifice.

Moon died on Christmas Day 2006, when an improvised explosive device detonated near his vehicle in Iraq.

Among those in attendance were State Sen. Frank Farry, Bucks County Veterans Affairs Director Matthew Allen, Middletown Township Supervisors Bernadette Hannah and Anna Payne, a representative from the Consulate of the Republic of Korea in Philadelphia, and a number of veteran groups.

During the ceremony, Hogan acknowledged the support of state representatives Kristin Marcell and Perry Warren, the Jenca family, the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation, and Middletown Township for their roles in the bridge’s renaming.

For Hogan, the decision to push forward with naming the bridge for Moon came after meeting the family, hearing their story, and with support from his late father, who was a combat-wounded veteran.

“I couldn’t think of a better bridge to name because you can basically see it from his home,” Hogan said.

Farry said Moon was a dedicated American and served to make the world better.

“He’ll be forever remembered here in Middletown Township,” Farry said.

Crystal Moon, the fallen soldier’s sister, spoke about the shock the family had when finding out the Neshaminy High School graduate had died in the line of duty. The family had talked to him on the phone the day before, Christmas Eve.

“We were not expecting this news from the two soldiers knocking at our door. When we heard the news, we were devastated and we felt devastated. Crying and crying,” she said.

Moon said that “Jae’s friends and family loved him so very much. He always brought a smile to our faces and loved helping out.”

The representative of the South Korean government said he appreciated Middletown Township remember Moon and his service.

Mac Wagner, a staffer with Congressman Brian Fitzpatrick’s office and a U.S. Army veteran, said everyone who serves holds the memory of the fallen close.

“The renaming of this bridge ensures that the legacy of Jae’s sacrifice is enshrined in our community,” Wagner said.

Jeffrey Lover, of White Deer Township in Union County, and Sean Distefano, of Bethlehem in the Lehigh Valley, served with Moon in Iraq. They came out to keep his memory alive.

“Until my dying breath, we will keep his memory alive. And that’s for all of the vets,” Distefano said.

Lover said he wanted to show that Moon’s legacy isn’t being forgotten.

“They say that you die twice: once when your heart no longer beats and the second time when people stop telling stories about you,” Lover said.

Moon, born in South Korea in 1985, moved to Pennsylvania and graduated from Neshaminy High School in 2003. Moon enlisting in the U.S. Army was part of his future aspirations to use the GI Bill to pursue a career as an FBI agent.

For his service, Moon was posthumously awarded the Purple Heart and the Bronze Star.

Report a correction via email | Editorial standards and policies

---

---